The three defendants in the Robert Wone obstruction trial were declared not guilty on obstruction and tampering charges this afternoon in one of the biggest official rulings in the case to date. Joseph Price, 39, Dylan Ward, 39, and Victor Zaborsky, 44, who opted for a ruling from the bench over a jury trial, were all charged with obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence and conspiracy — though Zaborsky and Ward were both acquitted on the evidence tampering charges halfway through the trial.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz began delivering the decision shortly before 11:30 this morning, and handed down the not guilty verdict moments ago. Leibovitz stated that Wone’s murderer “was not an intruder.” Leibovitz also stated that Ward and Zaborsky “didn’t alter the crime scene,” while Price “very likely altered” the knife used to kill Wone. But in the end, Leibovitz couldn’t conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Price did so. Additionally, Leibovitz also ruled out Michael Price, Joseph’s brother, as the one who murdered Wone.

Price, Ward and Zaborsky would have faced a maximum of more than 30 years in prison if they had been convicted.

UPDATE: Full copy of the verdict, after the jump.